To: The Ohio State House, The Ohio State Senate, and Governor Mike DeWine
Ohio State Legislature: Give Control Back to Local Governments
We the people of Ohio demand the Ohio Legislature immediately grant local governments the authority to approve or deny industrial oil and gas operations via zoning as they do any other businesses.
Why is this important?
In 2004, HB 278 gave Oil & Gas Companies an unfair advantage over other businesses. This legislation appoints The Ohio Department of Natural Resources as the sole authority to regulate the permitting, spacing, and location of oil and gas wells within the state. The problem with HB 278 is that every community has unique needs that the state is not familiar with.
Take Stow, Ohio for example. This beautiful suburban community has a long history of preserving residential neighborhoods while also promoting business activity. The city is set up in a way where residents can enjoy quiet streets where their kids can play and businesses are able to conduct their daily operations. Thanks to HB 278, when the Church of New Hope leased their mineral rights to PEP Drilling Co. in front of a residential allotment, no special zoning approvals were needed.
Once the well was drilled, it was determined the current depth would not be productive. The company drilled deeper than they were supposed to and were cited with multiple violations. PEP needed to get additional acreage in order to drill deeper. It is still not clear if the company has enough acreage, but they are operating anyway.
Some of that acreage was under a city road and it was believed the mineral rights were owned by the city. The residents of Stow did not want this in their community-- Especially since there is a daycare at the church. Residents urged their council not to lease its mineral rights because they were concerned for the health, well-being, and integrity of their community.
The city did not lease the mineral rights and the company has since provided the state with information that indicates someone else owns the mineral rights. The well should not be allowed to go forward until mineral rights and proper acreage have been determined. Furthermore, the city should be able to control what type of business activity takes place in their city.
Stow is in an area of Ohio, rich in hydrogen sulfide (H2S). H2S is highly corrosive to steel and a serious health risk. It can cause well casings to fail and corrode equipment and tubing. H2S killed an Ohioan at a gas well in 2009 and is widely known to pose other serious health risks.
This is wrong! Stow City Council and residents should have the right to say what goes on in their community. Other communities have the right to determine what is best for them. "Governor, please immediately stop drilling in the communities that don't want it! Grant local governments the ability to control what happens in their neighborhoods!"
Take Stow, Ohio for example. This beautiful suburban community has a long history of preserving residential neighborhoods while also promoting business activity. The city is set up in a way where residents can enjoy quiet streets where their kids can play and businesses are able to conduct their daily operations. Thanks to HB 278, when the Church of New Hope leased their mineral rights to PEP Drilling Co. in front of a residential allotment, no special zoning approvals were needed.
Once the well was drilled, it was determined the current depth would not be productive. The company drilled deeper than they were supposed to and were cited with multiple violations. PEP needed to get additional acreage in order to drill deeper. It is still not clear if the company has enough acreage, but they are operating anyway.
Some of that acreage was under a city road and it was believed the mineral rights were owned by the city. The residents of Stow did not want this in their community-- Especially since there is a daycare at the church. Residents urged their council not to lease its mineral rights because they were concerned for the health, well-being, and integrity of their community.
The city did not lease the mineral rights and the company has since provided the state with information that indicates someone else owns the mineral rights. The well should not be allowed to go forward until mineral rights and proper acreage have been determined. Furthermore, the city should be able to control what type of business activity takes place in their city.
Stow is in an area of Ohio, rich in hydrogen sulfide (H2S). H2S is highly corrosive to steel and a serious health risk. It can cause well casings to fail and corrode equipment and tubing. H2S killed an Ohioan at a gas well in 2009 and is widely known to pose other serious health risks.
This is wrong! Stow City Council and residents should have the right to say what goes on in their community. Other communities have the right to determine what is best for them. "Governor, please immediately stop drilling in the communities that don't want it! Grant local governments the ability to control what happens in their neighborhoods!"